Communities working for justice and dignity

Illegal mining activities destroy houses in Newcastle

Illegal
mining in Newcastle at Blaaubosh has destroyed some of the community houses.
These illegal miners started to operate in this place in 1984 till now. Those
people dig coal and sand they use to make a blocks stean and they sell them to
get money to survive since there are no job opportunities and they also sell
this coal and sand. So what happened some of them passed away because they dig these
coal underground and the ground fell on them. And when we ask them to live this
job they said they can’t because this is the way they survive. So it is so
painfully because they dig nearby communities. Community houses cracked and
these communities are afraid of the cracked houses and they say they are in
danger because these houses may fall anytime. And they said they don’t have money
to move from this place. They said they reported this matter to many people including
DMR, municipality and government but nothing happened those people came and see
these places and promise to relocate them since they are in danger but till now
no one did that. That means they made empty promises. So now what’s happening
is that we are trying to find help for these affected community as we are
Sisonke organisation though it’s difficult.

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Ubumbano Voice

Ubumbano Voice is a platform for community activists to share stories, resources and information. It is the outcome of a process of critical reflection on social justice work by organisations in the region. It is supported by members of the ACT Alliance and other organisations in Southern Africa.